MEAT COMPANIES

Evening Star, Issue 19409, 18 November 1926, Page 10

MEAT COMPANIES

BOARD AGAINST MERGER NO DANGER FROM TRUST [PSb United ' Press Association.] AUCKLAND, November 17. At a meeting of farmers, addressed by Mr D. Jones, chairman of the Meat Control Board, and by Mr 11. S. Forsyth, London manager of tho board, Mr C. C. Munro (chairman of the meeting) said one question that was exercising the minds of farmers was whether, seeing the Meat Control Board had refused the transfer of the license of the Wellington Meat Export Company, tho board had gone into the question of financial assistance for any meat companies in difficulties. Mr Jones said the attitude the board took up was that the amalgamation of ail proprietary interests in the dominion would not be in the interests of tho farmers. If there was a merger into one big company, the interest alone would be more than the cost of export to-day, including killing. There would bo no’ competition amongst freezing companies, and competition was always appreciated. In the board’s opinion the-wiping out of tho proprietary interests in New Zealand would be a very serious matter. The’ chairman asked whether, in tho event of a merger not being practicable, had tho board considered rendering assistance to. companies which were so loaded by guarantees, etc., that they could not carry on? Mr Jones said there was no suggestion of the board taking any such action. There were half a dozen freezing companies in difficulties, but the board could not see why it should render financial assistance. Dealing with the fears of a trust get. ting control, Mr Jones said there was no possibility of that, because the Meat Board would step in and grip the trust. The trust could not grip the board.